Amnesty International Nigeria has said it stands by its ‘Bloody August’ report which detailed the excessive use of force and violations of human rights committed by police and security operatives during the #EndBadGovernance protest in 2024.
The human rights organisation published the report on November 18 and its content, narrating the graphic experiences of protesters and families who lost their loved ones, upset the police.
On January 14, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) publicly demanded an apology and a retraction of the report. The police gave Amnesty an ultimatum of seven days within which those demands must be met. Otherwise, the police said, it would proceed to the court to challenge the accuracy of the report.
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“The publication in question, which includes numerous unsubstantiated claims, falsely accuses the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests. Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation,” Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force public relations officer, wrote for the police.
“The NPF emphasises that during the protests, the Police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest point of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary. Evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates the Police’s efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters. Criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were however arrested and dealt with according to law.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents. The Force further underscores that such false claims harm the reputation of the organization and demoralise its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
“In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issues a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.”
Thirty-nine days later, the Kayode Egbetokun-led police had yet to make good its threat.
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Auwal Rafsanjani, the country director of Amnesty, told FIJ on Saturday that the police had not served his organisation any court filings, adding that the report remained unretractable.
“Amnesty International Nigeria stands by the report and its findings, and will not retract it,” Rafsanjani said.
“Our lawyers have written to the police stating our position. Amnesty International Nigeria is yet to receive any further communication from the police authorities.”
The police’s Adejobi could not be immediately reached for comments on this story. A phone call placed across to his known line rang out. He did not respond.
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